GOODWIN SANDS, a dangerous line of shoals at the en trance to the Strait of Dover from the North sea, about 6 m. from the Kent coast of England, from which they are separated by and form shelter for, the anchorage of the Downs. The shift ing sands are partly exposed at low water and in spite of lights and bell-buoys, are frequently the scene of wrecks, while attempts to erect a lighthouse have failed. Tradition finds in the Goodwins the remnant of an island called Lomea, which belonged to Earl Godwine (i i th century) and was afterwards submerged. Four lightships mark the limits of the sands, and also signal to the life boat stations on the coast when any vessel is in distress on the sands.